IUI #1

When CD 1 started this month, I was excited to get going. After how successful surgery was, I was sure we had a good chance now that all the obstacles were gone. My RE had me go in for a CD2 ultrasound and bloodwork to access the status of my ovarian reserve after surgery. I did lose some by losing half my left ovary but was still in the normal range for a woman my age (women with PCOS typically have a high ovarian reserve anyway).

Because I had lost a tube because of damage from my cysts the RE decided it was time for us to move up to IUI to give us the best odds for that single tube. I also switched to Clomid this time because after 7 rounds of Letrozole, I had become resistant and it was no longer helping me grow good follicles.

So I took Clomid on days 3-7. I have heard so many horror stories about the side effects but honestly it wasn't much at all. On CD 13, I headed back in for my mid cycle ultrasound and bloodwork to check if I responded. Not only did I have 3 good follicles on my right (which is my side with a tube) but I also had an estrogen level that was the highest it had ever been. The follicles were a touch too small so I knew we had to wait a couple days. The nurse called later that day to tell me that we should trigger on CD 15 and that we were scheduled for our IUI on CD 16.

Unfortunately, we had to get up nice and early for my husband to drop off his part and then we had to wait a couple hours for them to process them. To kill some time we went and had some breakfast which was super satisfying and a great way to waste time.

We went back at 9am for our second appointment, this time it was my turn. After the usual check in and taking my pants off we waited together in the room. They had nice soothing music playing and nice calming images flashing across the computer screen. The nurse came in and told my husband that his sperm were excellent. Which in my head I was like "yes yes we know it's all my broken body", but also made me feel so good about our chances. It was finally time for the IUI. The most uncomfortable part was the nurse putting in the catheter. I guess my cervix likes to make it difficult but focusing on the music and taking deep breaths helped my body relax enough for her to do the complete procedure. I then had to lay there, tilted backwards for 15 minutes, I assume to make sure everything is in there good. And then that was it, and we were done.

It was an interesting experience and not too difficult. I have a positive feeling about this cycle, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high. But between, no longer having big cysts, having 3 good follicles, knowing the sperm are good and now are up in as far as we can get them, we've given my body the best chance it's had so far to get pregnant. So...we'll see!